As I wish Happy New Year to all, I acknowledge my Creator!
May God Bless us all in the New Year!
I pray that I might seek God's Will more fully this year.
1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) Praise to God for a Living Hope 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
We opened the new year with a Sunday School lesson showing videos of two people sharing visions of heaven. I liked the thought of the involvement of angels and I will share that another day.
Our Pastor concluded his Celebrate Series.
He asked: "If we took inventory of the last 365 days, what would we find?" We can inventory areas such as health, financial, relationship, and spiritual. We can't agonize over past negatives.
In church, we tend to present our best selves. But we all have room for improvement.
Paul wrote in Philippians 1:3-6: I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
God has started a good wok in you... He will continue that work.
God is continuing that work in you... Until it is finished on the day when Jesus returns.
Pastor encouraged us to read The Blessed Life which talks about giving at a ‘God Level’. Sometimes we are called to sacrifice.
1. What will be your goal for 2017?
2. What steps will you take to reach your target.
3. Each of us needs to commit with Focused intensity to reach our goal.
The Point: To be successful you need a target to receive your focused intensity.
What are you targeting for spiritual growth? Sharing Christ? Prayer? Stepping up? It is time to let God use us instead of doing something for us.
God has God-size plans for each of us and those plans are tied to His plan for the church.
I had several New Beginning songs and choose this one: Write your Story.
A Verse for Today: Proverbs 16:3 NIV Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Lord, help me commit and stay focused on Your Will this year and always.
I chose this image as it reminds me that the year is safe if I allow it to be in God's hands.
I received the quote below last month from a client that I had years ago who pops up every few years to say "Hi." This struck me as an appropriate way to begin my New Year.
I ASKED GOD
I asked God to take away my habit. God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
First - let me wish one and all a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Over the Christmas week I had planned out a post for Sunday. God had other plans - of course!
We had an awesome Sunday School lesson followed by a spirit-filled communion service with a good New Year's message from our pastor. There is too much material for one post so I am choosing the Sunday School message first.
I will condense and paraphrase the lesson that was written by our wonderful teacher.
Imagine yourself a soldier and this message is coming from your commanding officer.
Troops! I have gathered you together to pass on a message from our Supreme Commander in Chief. You need to be prepared for the War of 2012!
Our enemy has been prowling to and fro to find weaknesses where he will attack. He is going on the offensive as he fears his time may be growing short! Be aware of his camouflage: deception, distraction and misdirection. He has an arsenal of weapons he will use wherever and whenever possible: doubt, confusion, fear of the future, fear of failure, fear of loss, lust, greed, depression, threats, intimidation, shame, guilt, loneliness, disease and more. Note that many of these are mental weapons although there are physical weapons too.
He will use booby traps, mine fields and roadside bombs - ieds to wound us and weaken our troops.
Use your personal guide to discern the camouflage and dangers.
The enemy will set up blockades to supplies so make sure you are prepared physically and mentally. Work together; be a band of brothers; let the strong help the weak; do not allow any friendly fire and leave no one behind.
If you hear reports make sure you authenticate them with your manual. If you get caught in a bad situation don't hesitate to call for backup. Dig in your line, stand firm and wait for reinforcements. Do not retreat.
We have fire power to help us in the fight. Be aggressive, not passive. Use the powerful name and influence of our Supreme Commander in Chief. Don't fear the enemy but make sure you put on all of your armor (Ephesians 6) every day so that you have the necessary protection and weapons for this fight.
Then move forward with assurance that, with your Supreme Commander in Chief in charge, you will have peace and spiritual victory in 2012!
What a great message!
Here is a song we sang in service that fits this message better
than the one I had picked out ahead of time.
A verse for today:
Romans 13:11-12
New International Version (NIV)
The Day Is Near
11
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come
for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer
now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
I am praying that in 2012 I will be more 'God conscience' in every moment of every day.
